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Police had arrested former MPA Aslam Madhiana from the Johar Town area on Tuesday on charges of torturing an elderly schoolteacher from Sargodha and fracturing both his legs.

During the Supreme Court hearing of the Waheeda Shah case on Monday, the SC took suo motu action against the severe torture of the Sargodha schoolteacher by Madhiana, who is also the father of serving Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Awais Madhiana.
As a result of the assault, the teacher suffered two leg fractures and is currently undergoing treatment. The Lahore High Court Tuesday rejected the bail application of the former MPA. The investigation officer (IO) appeared before the court and said that according to the investigation, the accused was directly involved in the incident since he had been present on the occasion.

Punjab Prosecutor General Sadaqat Ali Khan, supporting the investigation officer, condemned the accused for having deprived the schoolteacher of both legs. He said the accused was a criminal according to his previous conduct as more than 25 FIRs of murder, theft, and fight had been registered against him.

The counsel for the accused argued that his client had nothing to do with the incident, as he was not present when it occurred. He said that at the behest of the Punjab government, an attempt was being tried to ruin his political career, adding that Madhiana was being politically victimized.

However, after hearing the arguments, the bench, headed by Justice Najamul Hasan, rejected the ex-MPA’s bail and ordered police to arrest him. As the accused was not present in the courtroom, he could not be arrested on the occasion.

Schoolteacher Nafees Ahmad, who was under treatment, was also brought to the court on a stretcher. After rejection of the bail, Nafees Ahmad, talking to the media, said that he had entertained little hope of justice, but Tuesday’s hearing had revived him and given him courage. “If the high-ups kept backing thieves, how is the common man expected to get justice?” he asked.

According to the FIR, the accused, with his stooges, attacked the schoolteacher after he raised an objection against his criminal acts. The Supreme Court has also taken suo motu notice of the incident and has sought a report from all four provincial chief secretaries about steps taken to protect the lives and dignity of civil servants. The reports were sought on or before March 28.

According to police, Madhiana and his accomplices attacked the 60-year-old schoolteacher in Sargodha. Madhiana was already on interim bail granted by the LHC on March 5, and on Tuesday his lawyer reached the court for confirmation of the bail. According to legal experts, it is necessary for an accused to appear before the court in person in bail matters; however, the former MPA did not reach the court.